The new $110.2 million Cowra Hospital will soon open its doors to patients, staff and visitors, providing new, enhanced services and modern, purpose-built facilities for the Cowra and surrounding communities.
Delivering more hospitals and more beds means more people can access the care they need, when they need it, and closer to home.
Final preparations are underway to formally open the new hospital following last weekend's Community Open Day, which welcomed almost 600 people from Cowra and surrounding areas for guided tours to showcase the new facility.
To ensure a smooth transition for staff and health services into the new facility and help minimise disruption for the community, a comprehensive relocation plan has been developed for the coordinated move.
All existing health services on the campus will move into the new building with emergency, inpatient and outpatient services, including maternity, surgical and oncology, to begin operating on Tuesday 9 December.
Some of the hospital's new or enhanced services, including the hospital's first Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, new ultrasound services and expanded dental clinic will welcome patients in January, as part of a staged opening.
When the new hospital opens the community will use the new emergency department entrance, off Brisbane Street, to access all services, including community health services, while demolition of the former Cowra hospital is completed.
In the days prior to opening, there may be some temporary changes to hospital services while departments relocate to the new building. Staff will be available to provide assistance at the existing hospital's main entrance.
Key information:
- The emergency department in the existing hospital will remain open until 7.59am on Tuesday 9 December. The new hospital's emergency department and all other services will commence operations at 8.00am.
- To assist staff at this busy time, people with non-urgent health issues are asked to see a GP or to call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
- NSW Pathology's outpatient collection centre at the existing hospital will close at 4.30pm on Monday 8 December. It will reopen on the ground floor of the new hospital at 8.30am on Thursday 11 December.
- Following the opening of the new hospital, ambulance and emergency service vehicle entry to the hospital will change to Brisbane Street.
Once the new hospital opens, work will focus on the final stage of the project, including the demolition of the former Cowra hospital and subsequent construction of the facility's new carpark in its place, and extensive external landscaping.
As this work is undertaken, there will only be limited car parking available to support the Emergency Department entrance. Additional support services are being explored to minimise disruption as much as possible. Patients and visitors are encouraged to allow additional travel time when visiting the new hospital.
When complete, the new carpark will provide car spaces adjacent to the hospital's main entrance, including several new accessible car spaces, and enhance access to health services for patients, carers and visitors.
Temporary signage will be in place across the hospital campus to direct the community to the new emergency department's entrance.
For more information, visit the Cowra Hospital Redevelopment website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park
"The $110.2 million Cowra Hospital will provide new and enhanced health services from modern, purpose-built facilities, and will significantly improve the care and better support staff, patients and their families now and into the future.
"From the new emergency department, maternity unit and pathology laboratory to the expanded inpatient wards and medical imaging department, the improved technology in place at the hospital will make a massive difference to the experiences of staff, patients and their families.
"Opening this new Cowra Hospital marks an important milestone, giving the people of Cowra and the surrounding regions the hospital they need and deserve."
Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Cootamundra, Stephen Lawrence
"It's fantastic to see the brand new Cowra Hospital will soon be formally open and welcoming patients. This is an exciting milestone and a proud moment for the whole community.
"The new Cowra Hospital is an impressive facility and with upgraded technology, the dedicated staff at Cowra will have the modern tools, space and environment they need to deliver the exceptional care they're known for."
Quotes attributable to WNSWLHD Chief Executive Mark Spittal
"The opening of the new Cowra Hospital represents years of planning, collaboration, dedication and hard work, and every aspect of the facility has been designed with staff, patients and their families in mind to support better health outcomes and care experiences.
"This new hospital belongs to our community and I was thrilled to see so many people from Cowra and surrounding towns at last weekend's Community Open Day, which gave them a chance for an inside look at the new facility before it opens.
"Our entire District is excited to begin a new chapter in local healthcare for Cowra and the region, one that boosts services, strengthens access to and delivers care closer to people's homes."
